04-May-2010: The Giro begins for the men, as the women head to China for World Cup competition.

The first grand tour of 2010 begins this Saturday with the Giro d’Italia. Cervélo TestTeam will be present with nine riders, including Carlos Sastre (ESP), who finished third in last year’s Giro. On the women’s side, the team travels to China for the first time, where they will participate in the World Cup competition there.

Men’s Team
The 2010 Giro d’Italia is a challenging one, tackling the legendary mountains of Monte Zoncolan, Plan de Corones and the Gavia Pass, with the last third of the Giro looking especially tough. However, with five mountain stages, three time trials and one team time trial included in this year’s schedule, it will certainly put all the participating riders to the test.

Women’s Team
The women’s team tackles a unique challenge this week as it will be the first time the team has ridden in China. The Tour of Chongming Island, the first ever World Cup event in Asia, will take place in Chongming, the third largest island in China, situated very close to Shanghai.

From May 5 to 7 the team is riding in the fifth edition of the Tour of Chongming Island in preparation for the World Cup event in the same place on Sunday, May 9.

After the success of Emma Pooley (GBR) at the last World Cup at Flèche Wallonne, in addition to her two victories this past weekend, the team is focused on continuing its great performance. Kirstin Wild (NED), who is currently in top shape and who also achieved two victories within 24 hours a week and a half ago, will be the team leader. The profile of the courses in China will be well suited to Wild’s style of racing.

08-05 – 30-05 Giro d’Italia (ITA) HIS

Riders Iñigo Cuesta (ESP)
Volodimir Gustov (UKR)
Ted King (USA)
Ignatas Konovalovas (LTU)
Daniel Lloyd (GBR)
Gabriel Rasch (NOR)
Carlos Sastre (ESP)
Xavier Tondo (ESP)
Marcel Wyss (SUI)

Sports Director Alex Sans Vega (ESP)
Philippe Mauduit (FRA)

Stages
08.05.10 Stage 1 Amsterdam – Amsterdam (NED) 8 km (TT)
09.05.10 Stage 2 Amsterdam – Utrecht (NED) 210 km
10.05.10 Stage 3 Amsterdam – Middelburg (NED) 224 km
11.05.10 Rest day
12.05.10 Stage 4 Savigliano – Cueno 32.5 km (TTT)
13.05.10 Stage 5 Novara – Novi Ligure 162 km
14.05.10 Stage 6 Fidenza – Carrara 172 km
15.05.10 Stage 7 Carrara – Montalcino 222 km
16.05.10 Stage 8 Chianciano Terme – Terminillo 189 km
17.05.10 Stage 9 Frosinone – Cava de’ Tirreni 187 km
18.05.10 Stage 10 Avellino – Bitonto 230 km
19.05.10 Stage 11 Lucera – L’Aquila 262 km
20.05.10 Stage 12 Città Sant’Angelo – Porto Recanati 206 km
21.05.10 Stage 13 Porto Recanati – Cesenatico 223 km
22.05.10 Stage 14 Ferrara – Asolo 205 km
23.05.10 Stage 15 Mestre – Monte Zoncolan 222 km
24.05.10 Rest Day
25.05.10 Stage 16 St. Vigil im Enneberg – Kronplatz 13 km (TT)
26.05.10 Stage 17 Bruneck – Peio Terme 173 km
27.05.10 Stage 18 Levico Terme – Brescia 156 km
28.05.10 Stage 19 Brescia – Aprica 195 km
29.05.10 Stage 20 Bormio – Ponte di Legno Tonale 178 km
30.05.10 Stage 21 Verona – Verona 15 km (TT)

05-05 – 07-05 Tour of Chongming (CHN) 2.1

Riders Emilie Aubry (SUI)
Charlotte Becker (GER)
Lieselot Decroix (BEL)
Sarah Düster (GER)
Iris Slappendel (NED)
Kirsten Wild (NED)

Sports Director Jean Paul van Poppel (NED)

Website http://www.shcmty.net/

Stages
05.05.10 Stage 1 Chongbei – Chongbei 72.5 km
06.05.10 Stage 2 Chongxi – Chongnix 79.8 km
07.05.10 Stage 3 Chengqiao Town 79.2 km

09-05 World Cup Tour of Chongming (CHN) CDM

Riders Emilie Aubry (SUI)
Charlotte Becker (GER)
Lieselot Decroix (BEL)
Sarah Düster (GER)
Iris Slappendel (NED)
Kirsten Wild (NED)

Sports Director Jean Paul van Poppel (NED)

Length 138.8 km
Start 10:30h (local time)
Finish ±13:30h